ICYMI: Pat McCrory Condemns Senate Bill that Strips Power from State Leaders

“Our Constitution and our Election Board must be protected for the long term, not for short term power struggles.”

Raleigh, NC – In case you missed it, former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, Chair of RightCount North Carolina, has been earning headlines for his opposition of Senate Bill 382. The legislation, which passed the State House and Senate despite bipartisan opposition, includes provisions that would strip the governor of the authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections. Governor Cooper has signaled his intent to veto the legislation, which would then return to the General Assembly for a potential override vote in the days ahead.

Former Gov. McCrory critical of GOP-led efforts to strip power from incoming Democratic leaders
ABC 11 TV
November 22, 2024

Gov. McCrory: “Putting this in the hurricane bill puts a lot of the current legislators on the spot – Republican legislators – on the spot.”

Tom George (ABC11): “The former Governor is now part of a group called RightCount, which works to educated people to promote trust in our elections, and he says this would break that trust.”

Gov. McCrory: “I believe firmly in separation of powers. Not only in Washington, but also in Raleigh, North Carolina.”

Tom George: “…McCrory says this is about principles. He warns the same thing could happen one day if the tables are turned.”

Gov. McCrory: “It’s not if, but when. You’ve got to think our Constitution must be protected and our Election Board must be protected for the long term, not for short term power struggles. I feel very strongly that as a former governor and also a former mayor and local government, it’s checks and balances.”

Watch Gov. McCrory’s full interview with ABC11 TV by clicking here.

Incoming NC auditor Dave Boliek says he didn’t seek new powers over state elections board
The News & Observer
November 22, 2024

 “North Carolina Auditor-elect Dave Boliek says he did not seek the new powers over the State Board of Elections that legislators voted to give him this week. In a bill originally expected to primarily handle disaster relief matters related to the devastation Hurricane Helene caused in Western North Carolina two months ago, Republican legislators included several additional policy changes and power shifts — including a move that would strip the governor of the authority to appoint the members of the State Board of Elections and reassign that power to the state auditor…

“Among the critics of the move is former Gov. Pat McCrory, a Charlotte Republican. ‘The majority of North Carolinians, including me, voted for the state auditor-elect to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in state government— not appoint the Board of Elections,’ McCrory said Wednesday in a news release from RightCount North Carolina, a nonprofit focused on election integrity. ‘Both political parties should stop playing games with the administration of elections, which shakes the confidence of voters in our voting system.’ The State Board of Elections is responsible for approving voting plans, overseeing county election workers and certifying election results.”

Read the News & Observer report by clicking here.

Former NC governor Pat McCrory condemns Senate Bill that strips power from state leaders
Queen City News
November 21, 2024

“Former North Carolina governor and Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory is speaking out against the state Senate bill that strips power from the state’s top leaders. Now the chair of election research organization RightCount, McCrory emphasizes that voters elected candidates to serve in certain roles.

“‘North Carolinians, including me, elected the state auditor to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in state government — not appoint the Board of Elections,’ he said. ‘The North Carolina Constitution assigns appointment powers of this nature to the governor, not the state auditor. Both political parties should stop playing games with the administration of elections, which shakes the confidence of voters in our voting system.’

“Senate Bill 382 passed through the House and Senate this week after McCrory argued it was fast-tracked by its Republican sponsors. It includes relief funds for Hurricane Helene, but it was the section regarding the governor and attorney general that has drawn the most criticism.

“It would strip the governor of the authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections, also removing duties from the attorney general. Two Democrats – Josh Stein and Jeff Jackson will take office in those roles in January when the GOP also loses their supermajority.

“Gov. Roy Cooper has signaled his intent to veto the legislation, which would then return to the General Assembly for a potential override vote in the days ahead. McCrory, a Republican while serving as a politician, was governor from 2013-2016 and served as the Queen City’s mayor from 1995 to 2009.”

Read the Queen City News report by clicking here.

###

RightCount is a 501(c)(3) entity that conducts research and educates fellow citizens around election integrity issues. To learn more about RightCount’s mission in North Carolina and the steps it is taking to protect the integrity of the 2024 general election, please visit rightcount.org/north-carolina.

Press Contact:

Patrick Sebastian, patrick@tarheeltargeting.com

###